Today we are doing something different. Today we are reviewing a keyboard that is not exactly new. In fact, the Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard with Backlight (FK418BTLB) is a few years old by this point, but since my quest for a perfect keyboard never ends, I decided to give it a go.
Apple-esque design from Canada’s greatest
Matias is not a name everybody knows, but ask the keyboard enthusiasts, and you’ll get a reaction. The Canadian company, born in Edgar Matias’ parents’ basement, is famous for rescuing old lost tech (like ALPS mechanical keyswitches) and manufacturing quality products for people who know exactly what they need.
The keyboard I am looking at today looks a lot like Apple’s own keyboard. It is an aluminum slab with backlighted keys, a number pad, a rechargeable battery that lasts one year, and the ability to pair up to four Bluetooth devices.
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Ageless design and battery
While the Matias doesn’t have anything special about its design, it manages to look as classy as any other keyboard I tried. Hell, it might just be the best-looking one on the market. The classy aluminum frame looks the part, and black square keys give it the feeling of sleekness. It looks fantastic paired with any modern MacBook or iPad, but I especially liked the pairing with MacBook Pro 14’
Sure, it looks a lot like Apple’s own keyboard, and the company never tried to hide it. They’ve taken a great keyboard and made it more functional. You can pair up to four devices (suck it, MX Keys!) and change between them with a push of a button.
You can also use one charge for one year without even thinking of recharging! Even better, the keyboard has two batteries: one for the backlight (1,400 mAh) and one for general use (1,600 mAh). The backlight battery does not last (you can expect two weeks at the most), but at least you can always be sure your keyboard will not die in the middle of a sentence. One small issue: the keyboard uses the Micro-USB format, but I can’t fault it since this isn’t a new model. But that does mean you need a USB-C adapter to charge it from modern Apple devices. I have quite a few of those, but I’d imagine not everyone is like me.
The last important feature worth mentioning is the backlight. It gets bright enough, and you can adjust the brightness in 10% increments or by pressing a number.
Build quality and keys’ feel
The keys are Mac-friendly, just how I like it. The build quality is great: while I understand that there’s no reason to want an aluminum keyboard when plastic is more than good enough, I still miss that feeling of heft and reliability, as well as that pleasant coldness to the touch. Hey, if I am using an Apple product, I might as well touch as little plastic as I can!
My daily driver is the Logitech MX Keys, and that is what I am comparing Matias with. As we all know, MX Key’s lacks an aluminum frame, and yet it’s still heavier than the Matias! Quite a surprise that was. Thankfully, the keyboard sits firmly on a desk thanks to four rubber feet. Just like the MX Keys, it doesn’t feature a mechanism for adjusting the angle, but I never had any complaints.
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The keys themselves feel soft, if not downright flimsy in some cases. I’ll be honest: after getting used to more clicky Logitech keys, I found it hard to relearn typing on a different keyboard. But that’s not Matias’ fault, is it? Overall, the experience was pleasant and smooth. But after comparing it directly with the MX Keys or the latest Apple keyboard, I have to conclude that Matias is not good enough. It’s build quality is as good as any other keyboard I used, but the keys themselves are a bit underwhelming. The same can be said about the price: at $139 USD, it’s more expensive than Apple’s own Magic keyboard with a numeric keypad. Sure, it’s more versatile, too, but the price is questionable if you only use it with a Mac computer.
Verdict
The Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard with Backlight is a decent keyboard that offers convenience, great build quality, and fantastic looks. Its long-lasting battery is something hardly anyone can beat, and its keys offer a comfortable if a little too soft typing experience.